The Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, is a popular destination for lovers of paradise beaches and unspoilt nature. As a French national, it's only natural to ask yourself the question: "Where do I go from here? Do I need a visa to travel to Seychelles? ? ".
Entry to Seychelles for French nationals: no visa required
To begin with, rest assured: it is not necessary to obtain a visa before travelling to Seychelles as a French citizen. In fact, the Seychelles authorities have introduced a system enabling foreigners to receive a residence permits before their departure.
This simplified procedure also applies to nationals of all European Union member states, as well as to American, Canadian, Australian and many other nationalities.
Maximum authorised length of stay
It is important to note that this residence permit, issued before arrival in Seychelles, is valid for the following periods according to your travel dates and the authorised length of stay, i.e. a maximum of 90 days. If you wish to extend your stay beyond this period, you must apply to the local immigration authorities for a renewal.
Documents required to obtain a residence permit for Seychelles
To facilitate formalities on arrival and avoid any hiccups, it is essential to bring the following documents with you necessary documents to obtain this residence permit. As a reminder, the ETA application must be made before departure for the Seychelles.. Here is the list of documents you will need to present when you arrive in Seychelles:
A valid passport
The passport must be valid at least 1 month after your departure date from Seychelles. Be sure to check the expiry date before you leave, to avoid any problems on arrival.
Proof of local accommodation
To prove that you have a place to stay during your stay in Seychelles, you will need to provide a hotel reservationIf you are renting a flat or villa, you will also need to provide a full address. Your accommodation provider's contact details, telephone number and email address must also appear on the document.
A return ticket
The Seychelles authorities require the presentation of a return ticketor a ticket for a subsequent destination, to prove that you intend to leave the territory at the end of your stay. The ticket must be issued by an airline or shipping company authorised to serve Seychelles.
Sufficient financial resources
Travellers must also demonstrate that they have the necessary financial resources required to cover their expenses during their stay in Seychelles. The equivalent of 150 US dollars per day is considered a sufficient amount by the local authorities.
Entry conditions depending on the purpose of the stay
Depending on the purpose of your stay in Seychelles, it will be necessary to necessary or not apply for a visa from the relevant authorities. Here is a summary of the steps to take:
For a tourist stay (holiday)
As mentioned above, there is no visa requirement for French nationals wishing to visit Seychelles. However, an ETA (electronic travel authorisation) application must be made before departure.
For a job or work placement
If you have found a job or would like to do a work placement in Seychelles, you will need to apply for a specific visa called the GOP (Gainful Occupation Permit). This document must be requested by the local employer from the Seychelles Ministry of Employment. It is important to note that this process can take several weeks, so it is advisable to plan well in advance.
For a study stay (training)
If you have been accepted to study at an institution of higher education in Seychelles, you will also need to obtain a student visa. This procedure is carried out by the Seychelles school in question with the Seychelles Ministry of Education.
For a business stay
If your stay does not exceed 90 days, you can complete the ETA application form online before departure.
For transit/escales in the Seychelles
The ETA application form must be completed before arrival in Seychelles.
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